After the Mexican War, the United States gained a large portion of new land. In an attempt to decide whether these new territories would be slave states or free states, Congress passed
A.
the Northwest Ordinance.
B.
the Compromise of 1850.
C.
the Kansas-Nebraska Act.
D.
the Missouri Compromise.
57 answers
The correct answer is B. the Compromise of 1850.
The Compromise of 1850 was a series of legislative measures aimed at addressing the status of territories acquired after the Mexican War and whether they would allow slavery or not. It included provisions such as admitting California as a free state and allowing the territories of New Mexico and Utah to decide the issue of slavery based on popular sovereignty.
Beginning in 1849, thousands of prospectors fled to California in search of
A.
jobs.
B.
land.
C.
gold.
D.
silver.
The correct answer is C. gold.
Beginning in 1849, the California Gold Rush attracted thousands of prospectors, often referred to as "49ers," who traveled to California in search of gold.
What was the major difference between the North and South in the decades prior to the Civil War?
A.
The North believed in state's rights, while the South believed in a stronger federal government.
B.
The North was an industrial society, while the South was an agricultural society.
C.
The North refused to import and export goods, while the South exported numerous crops.
D.
The North had an economy that was highly dependent on slavery, while the South did not
The correct answer is B. The North was an industrial society, while the South was an agricultural society.
In the decades leading up to the Civil War, the North developed a more industrialized economy characterized by manufacturing and urbanization, while the South's economy was primarily agrarian, relying heavily on agriculture, especially cotton, and the use of slave labor.
Which of the following occurred during the Boston Massacre?
A.
Colonists began protests and boycotts against British goods.
B.
Several colonists were killed by British soldiers.
C.
Colonists dressed as Mohawk Indians and dumped tea into the harbor.
D.
British tax collectors were killed by colonists
The correct answer is B. Several colonists were killed by British soldiers.
The Boston Massacre, which occurred on March 5, 1770, involved British soldiers opening fire on a crowd of colonists, resulting in the deaths of several individuals and wounding others. This event significantly heightened tensions between the colonists and British authorities.
Which of the following was the biggest weakness of the Articles of Confederation?
A.
opposition to creating new amendments
B.
refusal to have relationships with other nations
C.
lack of power within the federal government
D.
inability to provide financial assistance to the people
The correct answer is C. lack of power within the federal government.
The Articles of Confederation created a weak federal government that lacked the necessary powers to regulate commerce, impose taxes, or enforce laws effectively. This weakness led to difficulties in addressing national issues and ultimately contributed to the decision to draft a new Constitution.
Which crop saved the struggling colony of Jamestown?
A.
rice
B.
indigo
C.
tobacco
D.
cotton
The correct answer is C. tobacco.
Tobacco became the cash crop that saved the struggling colony of Jamestown. Introduced and cultivated successfully by John Rolfe in the early 1610s, tobacco production became vital for the colony's economy and helped ensure its survival and growth.
Cause
Eli Whitney invents the cotton gin in 1793 ––––> Effect: ?
Which of the following completes the chart?
A.
cotton production stays roughly the same
B.
the price of cotton drops dramatically
C.
fewer slaves are needed to work on the plantations
D.
the population of slaves in the South increases
The correct answer is D. the population of slaves in the South increases.
Eli Whitney's invention of the cotton gin in 1793 significantly increased the efficiency of cotton production, making it much more profitable. As a result, the demand for cotton grew, leading to an increase in the cultivation of cotton plantations and subsequently a higher demand for slave labor in the South.
What was the underlying factor behind the Nullification Crisis?
A.
a state's right to continue to purchase slaves
B.
a state's right to build its own militia for protection
C.
a state's right to secede from an unlawful government
D.
a state's right to declare a federal law void
The correct answer is D. a state's right to declare a federal law void.
The Nullification Crisis, which occurred in the early 1830s, was centered on the idea that states had the right to nullify (or invalidate) any federal law that they deemed unconstitutional. This conflict was particularly highlighted by South Carolina's opposition to the Tariff of 1828, which they referred to as the "Tariff of Abominations."
The landmark Supreme Court case Marbury v. Madison (1803) established which of the following?
A.
dual citizenship
B.
judicial review
C.
interstate commerce
D.
federal banks
The correct answer is B. judicial review.
The landmark Supreme Court case Marbury v. Madison (1803) established the principle of judicial review, which allows the Supreme Court and other federal courts to review the constitutionality of laws and actions of the executive and legislative branches. This case solidified the judiciary's role as a co-equal branch of government with the authority to check the powers of the other branches.
What were the Black Codes?
A.
a series of federal laws that allowed all children to receive education through public schools
B.
the violent actions taken by the Ku Klux Klan to keep African Americans from voting or holding office
C.
a series of laws passed by ex-Confederate states that restricted the rights of blacks in the South
D.
the government clauses set up to assist African Americans as they tried to settle into a free society
The correct answer is C. a series of laws passed by ex-Confederate states that restricted the rights of blacks in the South.
Black Codes were laws enacted in the Southern states after the Civil War during the Reconstruction era that aimed to control and restrict the rights of newly freed African Americans. These laws sought to maintain a social and economic structure similar to that which existed under slavery, limiting the freedoms and opportunities of black individuals.
The first 13 colonies included three distinct regions: New England, the Middle Colonies, and the Southern Colonies. Which industry was more prominent in the New England colonies than the other colonies?
A.
textiles
B.
agriculture
C.
mining
D.
shipbuilding
The correct answer is D. shipbuilding.
Shipbuilding was a prominent industry in the New England colonies due to their extensive coastline, access to timber, and a strong maritime culture. The geography and resources of New England made it well-suited for shipbuilding compared to the other colonies, where agriculture and other industries were more prominent.
The Founding Fathers limited voting rights because they believed that the “common man” should not have too much power. What is the best explanation for the expansion of voting rights to all white males regardless of land or property ownership?
A.
The United States economy declined after the War of 1812, causing most upper class men to lose their property.
B.
The United States government hoped to silence women asking for suffrage by making small changes to voting rights.
C.
John Quincy Adams implemented the spoils system, which sought to put the power in the hands of Westerners.
D.
Andrew Jackson and the Democratic Party rose to power with the intention of creating a truer democracy
The correct answer is D. Andrew Jackson and the Democratic Party rose to power with the intention of creating a truer democracy.
Andrew Jackson and his supporters advocated for greater democratic participation and sought to expand voting rights to all white males, regardless of property ownership. This shift was part of a broader movement toward increased political participation and the idea of a "common man" democracy in the early 19th century.
Why did President Thomas Jefferson send Meriwether Lewis and William Clark on their famous expedition?
A.
to explore the land acquired through the Louisiana Purchase
B.
to force the Native Americans off their lands
C.
to settle the dispute with Great Britain over the Oregon Territory
D.
to lead an army to fight the Spanish living in California
The correct answer is A. to explore the land acquired through the Louisiana Purchase.
President Thomas Jefferson commissioned Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to lead an expedition, known as the Lewis and Clark Expedition, to explore the newly acquired territory from the Louisiana Purchase, as well as to find a route to the Pacific Ocean and to document the geography, plants, animals, and native peoples of the region.
In 1830, President Andrew Jackson signed the Indian Removal Act, which aimed to do which of the following?
A.
establish a system of forcing Native Americans to give up their cultural beliefs
B.
force the Cherokee living in Georgia to move onto reservations
C.
establish a reservation system that would keep Native Americans in the Southeast
D.
force Native American tribes to move west of the Mississippi River
The correct answer is D. force Native American tribes to move west of the Mississippi River.
The Indian Removal Act of 1830 was aimed at relocating Native American tribes from their ancestral lands in the southeastern United States to designated territories west of the Mississippi River, primarily to make way for American expansion and settlement. This resulted in the forced removal of many tribes, leading to events such as the Trail of Tears, where thousands of Cherokee were forcibly relocated in harsh conditions.
Steamboats appeared at the beginning of the 1800s and improved the way cargo was transported over long distances. Who built the first steamboat, The Clermont?
A.
Cyrus McCormick
B.
Eli Whitney
C.
John Deere
D.
Robert Fulton
The correct answer is D. Robert Fulton.
Robert Fulton built the first successful steamboat, known as The Clermont, which launched in 1807. This innovation greatly improved the efficiency of transporting goods and passengers on rivers and helped to facilitate trade and expansion in the United States.
The Puritans came to the Massachusetts Colony for what purpose?
A.
They wanted good land for growing tobacco.
B.
They were seeking religious freedom.
C.
They wanted to establish trade relations with Canada.
D.
They were looking for gold, silver, and furs.
The correct answer is B. They were seeking religious freedom.
The Puritans came to the Massachusetts Colony primarily to escape religious persecution in England and to establish a community where they could practice their faith freely and according to their beliefs. They sought to create a "City upon a Hill" as a model of Christian society.
• abolitionist born a slave in Maryland
• wrote an autobiography of his life
• spoke out for equality for African Americans
Who is described in the box above?
A.
John Brown
B.
Dred Scott
C.
Frederick Douglass
D.
Nat Turner
The correct answer is C. Frederick Douglass.
Frederick Douglass was an abolitionist who was born a slave in Maryland. He became a prominent speaker, writer, and advocate for the rights of African Americans, and he wrote several autobiographies detailing his experiences and views on slavery and equality.
Which of the following was a major contributing factor to the United States' declaration of war on Great Britain in 1812?
A.
territorial disputes over the U.S. West Coast
B.
the disagreements over trade rights with Asia
C.
the impressment of American sailors
D.
the sinking of an American passenger ship
The correct answer is C. the impressment of American sailors.
One of the major contributing factors to the United States declaring war on Great Britain in 1812 was the British practice of impressment, where British naval forces forcibly recruited American sailors into their service. This, along with other issues such as trade restrictions and territorial disputes, led to rising tensions and ultimately the War of 1812.
Why did the Anti-Federalists oppose ratification of the Constitution?
A.
They wanted to keep the Articles of Confederation in place.
B.
They felt it gave the national government too much power.
C.
They wanted the government to be divided into branches.
D.
They did not want the country run by political parties
The correct answer is B. They felt it gave the national government too much power.
Anti-Federalists opposed the ratification of the Constitution because they believed it created a national government that was too powerful and threatened the rights and liberties of individuals and the sovereignty of the states. They advocated for a Bill of Rights to ensure that individual freedoms were protected from potential government overreach.
The map above shows settlement patterns of the 17th century. However, by the end of the 1600s, the Dutch colony of New Netherland
A.
was conquered by the French and became part of Canada.
B.
was taken back by the Native Americans living nearby.
C.
was given to the French in return for control of the fur trade.
D.
was lost to England and later renamed New York.
The correct answer is D. was lost to England and later renamed New York.
At the end of the 1600s, the Dutch colony of New Netherland was seized by the English in 1664. The British took control of the territory and renamed it New York, after the Duke of York.
In what way did the French and Indian War increase the tension between Great Britain and the colonists?
A.
The British raised taxes on the colonists to pay for war debt.
B.
The Native Americans sided with the British, which angered the colonists.
C.
The colonists were angry over Britain's refusal to let them participate in the war.
D.
The British took large plots of land from the colonists to build forts
The correct answer is A. The British raised taxes on the colonists to pay for war debt.
After the French and Indian War, Great Britain incurred a significant amount of debt and sought to recover some of the costs by imposing new taxes on the American colonists, such as the Stamp Act and the Townshend Acts. This led to increased tension and resentment among colonists, who felt that they should not be taxed without representation in Parliament.
Which event is considered a catalyst for southern secession?
A.
the Compromise of 1850
B.
the Fugitive Slave Act
C.
the presidential election of 1860
D.
the Battle of Fort Sumter
The correct answer is C. the presidential election of 1860.
The election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860, who was seen as anti-slavery and a threat to the institution of slavery, served as a catalyst for southern states to secede from the Union. Following his election, several Southern states declared their secession, leading to the formation of the Confederate States of America and ultimately the Civil War.
Which of the following officially abolished slavery in the United States?
A.
the 14th Amendment
B.
the 15th Amendment
C.
the 16th Amendment
D.
the 13th Amendment
The correct answer is D. the 13th Amendment.
The 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution, ratified in 1865, officially abolished slavery in the United States and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime.
The Great Compromise was a result of arguments regarding which issue?
A.
slaves counting toward a state's total population
B.
tariffs on imported and exported goods
C.
the guarantee of individual rights
D.
state representation in the legislative branch
The correct answer is D. state representation in the legislative branch.
The Great Compromise, also known as the Connecticut Compromise, was reached during the Constitutional Convention of 1787 to address the debate over how states should be represented in Congress. It established a bicameral legislature, with the House of Representatives based on population (favoring larger states) and the Senate granting equal representation to each state (favoring smaller states).
graduate of West Point
• accepted General Lee's surrender
• Union general in command of all Union armies for most of the war
Who is described in the box above?
A.
George McClellan
B.
George Meade
C.
William Tecumseh Sherman
D.
Ulysses S. Grant
The correct answer is D. Ulysses S. Grant.
Ulysses S. Grant was a graduate of West Point, served as a Union general throughout most of the Civil War, and accepted General Robert E. Lee's surrender at Appomattox Court House in 1865, effectively leading to the end of the war. He later became the 18th President of the United States.
The boundary dispute over the Oregon Territory began after which two nations claimed the area?
A.
The United States and France
B.
France and Great Britain
C.
The United States and Great Britain
D.
Great Britain and Spain
The correct answer is C. The United States and Great Britain.
The boundary dispute over the Oregon Territory arose after both the United States and Great Britain claimed the area. The conflict was primarily over the northern boundary, and it was resolved with the Oregon Treaty in 1846, which established the boundary at the 49th parallel.
The nineteenth century concept known as Manifest Destiny can best be described as
A.
the right of any new territory to apply for statehood and create its own laws.
B.
the right of all Americans to take any land from Native Americans.
C.
the belief that America should go to war with Mexico in order to obtain new lands.
D.
the belief that Americans had the right to expand from the Atlantic to the Pacific
The correct answer is D. the belief that Americans had the right to expand from the Atlantic to the Pacific.
Manifest Destiny was the 19th-century doctrine or belief that it was the destiny of the United States to expand its territory across the North American continent, from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. This belief justified westward expansion and was used to support various policies and actions, including claims to land occupied by Native Americans and conflicts such as the Mexican-American War.
In what way did Thomas Paine influence the colonists in the years leading to the American Revolution?
A.
His leadership skills led to the creation of the first militias.
B.
He inspired the organization of the Sons of Liberty.
C.
He demanded the king repeal the Intolerable Acts.
D.
His publication, Common Sense, encouraged the colonists to fight for independence.
The correct answer is D. His publication, Common Sense, encouraged the colonists to fight for independence.
Thomas Paine's influential pamphlet, "Common Sense," published in early 1776, argued compellingly for independence from Britain and helped sway public opinion in favor of revolution. It articulated the case for self-governance and criticized monarchy, inspiring many colonists to support the idea of breaking away from British rule.
This woman is perhaps the most well-known advocate of women's rights and was the leader for women's suffrage. Who is she?
A.
Sojourner Truth
B.
Sarah Grimké
C.
Clara Barton
D.
Susan B. Anthony
The correct answer is D. Susan B. Anthony.
Susan B. Anthony was a prominent advocate for women's rights and played a key role in the women's suffrage movement in the United States. She worked tirelessly to secure voting rights for women and is widely recognized for her contributions to the cause.